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Social media networks are everywhere. It seems like every few months there’s a new platform being introduced with the tagline, “The site that will change everything.” It’s hard to remember at time without Facebook. But in reality, that was only only 11 years ago. Since 2004, sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Pinterest, Meerkat, and many more have been introduced and become a part of life for billions of people.

We are in a time of constant invention and evolution of social media products. The problem with these sites consistently adapting, is that people who weren’t exposed to the technology right away can be at a loss when trying to join the conversation.

We wanted to answer some frequently asked questions about how to use social media when marketing your local business.

How do I get people to follow me on Twitter?The keyword in social media is “social.” You are looking to create connections with as many people as possible and create some type of rapport with your audience. You can advertise your Twitter handle on your company’s signage and website, but a great way to get people to follow you is to just follow them first.

First, find your friends and follow them. These are the people who are going to want to hear from you and see your business succeed. Encourage them to follow you back and retweet your messages to their followers.

Second, look for the thought leaders of your community. Follow your local chamber of commerce or business association. Follow local politicians who are known for working within the community. Follow local news outlets and their reporters so that you are aware of what’s new in your community.

These are all people who are already proven communicators and are being followed by the same customers you want to attract. If you engage with them, you create a better chance of these thought leaders wanting to follow and engage with you.

Finally, look for neighboring businesses, brands and even competitors on Twitter. Create a coalition of small businesses supporting each other on social media. Start conversations with them on Twitter about local events. Retweet their messages or respond to them when they reach out to their customers.

Should I add social media buttons to my site?Yes. People will share your content on social media, but you need to make that content accessible for them. By creating social sharing buttons for each page on your website, you are creating an instant link between your page and their social media pages. Having social media integration built into your site will make engagement easier for consumers.

Users can click a “like” button and have your page or a specific post be linked to their Facebook feed. You can add buttons that encourage users to share on social media about a product or service you offer. If you post pictures, offer a “Pin it” button for consumers to share the image on their Pinterest wall.

What makes good social media content?Any content that engages with potential consumers and increases awareness of your business is good social media content. The posts you share should be unique to your business. Be creative and don’t post the same type of content all the time.

Ideas for content:

Post information about upcoming promotions and sales.

Share a blog post about the history of your business.

Upload videos that demonstrate how to use a product or feature a customer testimonial.

Post pictures of a new logo or an elaborate floor display that you put together.

Share URLs that lead customers to online only coupons.

Ask your customers questions.

Create a poll to measure what consumers love about your business.

Build an online quiz and encourage your followers to share it.

Do you have any social media marketing questions? Send them to Wicked Local Media Solutions and we’ll be happy to answer them.